Sizing and positioning technology for an in-the-ear multi-measurement sensor to enable NIBP calculation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An in-the-ear (ITE) physiological measurement device including:
- a structure formed for insertion into an ear canal;
a tip operatively connected to a region of the structure inserted in the ear;
one or more sensors operatively connected to the tip that is inserted in the ear; and
an inflatable balloon operatively coupled to the portion of the structure inserted in the ear, the inflatable balloon inflates to position the one or more sensors proximate to tissue within the ear canal such that the one or more sensors non-invasively sense signals from the surrounding tissue and bone structure indicative of at least blood pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in-the-ear (ITE) physiological measurement device (2) includes a structure (4) formed for easy insertion into multiple shaped and sized ear canals. An inflatable balloon (6) surrounds an end portion of the structure (4) to be positioned in the ear. Optionally, a mushroom shaped tip (22) is connected with an end of the structure (4) and carries a plurality of sensors (8). Inflation of the balloon (6) expands the tip (22) radially to position the sensors (8) proximate to vascular tissue within the ear canal. Once suitably positioned, the one or more sensors (8) sense physiological signals from the vascular tissue and bone structure.
29 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An in-the-ear (ITE) physiological measurement device including:
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a structure formed for insertion into an ear canal; a tip operatively connected to a region of the structure inserted in the ear; one or more sensors operatively connected to the tip that is inserted in the ear; and an inflatable balloon operatively coupled to the portion of the structure inserted in the ear, the inflatable balloon inflates to position the one or more sensors proximate to tissue within the ear canal such that the one or more sensors non-invasively sense signals from the surrounding tissue and bone structure indicative of at least blood pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An in-the-ear (ITE) physiological measurement device comprising:
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a structure formed for insertion into an ear canal, the structure including a passageway that extends through the structure for equalizing ear pressure within the ear canal with ambient air pressure; one or more sensors operatively coupled to a portion of the structure that is inserted in the ear; and an inflatable balloon operatively coupled to the portion of the structure inserted in the ear, the inflatable balloon inflates to position the one or more sensors proximate to tissue within the ear canal such that the one or more sensors non-invasively sense signals from the surrounding tissue and bone structure indicative of at least blood pressure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An in-the-ear (ITE) physiological measurement device including:
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a structure formed for insertion into an ear canal; one or more sensors operatively coupled to a portion of the structure that is inserted in the ear; an inflatable balloon operatively coupled to the portion of the structure inserted in the ear, the inflatable balloon inflates to position the one or more sensors proximate to tissue within the ear canal such that the one or more sensors non-invasively sense signals from the surrounding tissue and bone structure indicative of at least blood pressure; and a sheath that protects the structure, the balloon, the one or more sensors, and the ear canal from cross contamination. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for measuring blood pressure within the ear canal, comprising:
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inserting an in-the-ear structure into an ear canal to a desired depth; inflating the inflatable balloon operatively connected to an end portion of the in-the-ear structure to occlude blood flow in the ear tissue proximate to the inflatable balloon and to position one or more sensors proximate to vascular tissue of the ear canal; and using the one or more sensors to obtain a systolic and a diastolic blood pressure signals from the surrounding tissue and bone structure while inflating and/or deflating the inflatable balloon. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for continuously measuring blood within the ear canal, comprising:
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inserting an in-the-ear structure into an ear canal to a desired depth; inflating an inflatable balloon operatively connected to an end portion of the in-the-ear structure to position one or more sensors proximate to vascular tissue of the ear canal; obtaining at least one of an initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure measure reading with the one or more sensors; determining a mean blood pressure measurement from the reading; inflating the balloon within the ear canal to the mean blood pressure; periodically adjusting balloon pressure; and capturing a maximum pulse waveform amplitude indicative of the mean blood pressure using the one or more sensors. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A physiological measurement device for measuring physiological signals from within the ear canal, comprising:
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a first structure formed for easy insertion into multiple shaped and sized ear canals; a second structure that supports the first structure to facilitate maintaining the position of the first structure within the ear canal; an inflatable balloon disposed around a portion of the first structure to be positioned in the ear, the inflatable balloon expands radially with inflation; a radially expanding tip connect with the first structure and extending at least partially around the inflatable balloon such that inflation of the balloon radially expands the tip; and a sensor carried by the tip to the pressed into sensing interaction within an ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification